Vitamin E is an essential fat-soluble vitamin found in many natural foods such as avocados and vegetable oils. According to the Mayo Clinic, vitamin E has antioxidant properties, and supplements are available in both natural -- d-gamma-tocopherol -- and synthetic -- dl-alpha-tocopherol -- forms. Though some alternative practitioners tout vitamin E supplementation for a variety of ailments, MayoClinic.com notes possible complications regarding the safety of this approach. An increased risk of bleeding is one side effect of vitamin E supplementation, so check with your doctor before adding additional vitamin E to your diet.
Heart Disease
One of the proposed benefits of vitamin E supplementation is that it helps to stave off heart disease. In his book, "The Vitamin E Factor," author Andreas M. Papas, PhD, notes an official statement from the American Heart Association in 1996 that says vitamin E appears to prevent coronary heart disease. This statement was made by the AHA due to several studies that year that seemed to show vitamin E may protect against plaque deposits in the arteries. On the other hand, Jeffrey Blumberg, Ph.D., of the Linus Pauling Institute states that there have been mixed results when it comes to studies about vitamin E and heart disease.
Skin
Another proposed benefit of taking 200 IU of vitamin E a day is improved skin. This may have to do with the fact that vitamin E is an antioxidant that can prevent free radical damage, according to health writer and editor Carol Turkington in her book, "The Encyclopedia of Skin and Skin Disorders." Since skin damage can be caused by sunlight and other free radical damage, some studies have indicated that vitamin E may be effective in preventing damage. This is linked to taking vitamin E internally, though. The same benefits have not been found when putting vitamin E on the skin.
Eye Diseases
There is some indication that eye diseases may be prevented by taking 200 IU of vitamin E a day. Papas points to the antioxidant benefits of vitamin E, with a "consensus" among scientists that free radicals both contribute to and accelerate the development of eye diseases. He notes a study at Johns Hopkins University of 600 people in which a 48 percent lower risk for cataracts was found in the group with the highest levels of blood vitamin E versus the group with the lowest.
Circulation
Another possible health benefit of taking 200 IU of vitamin E per day is that this vitamin seems to improve circulation. This process occurs by vitamin E's ability to decrease the clumping of blood, easing the passage of blood through capillaries and narrowed blood vessels, according to Naturopathic doctor Steve Blake in his book, "Vitamins and Minerals Demystified." There also seems to be a regulatory effect on the muscles of circulatory system and an improvement in the flexibility of the arterial wall.
References
- "The Vitamin E Factor"; Andreas M. Papas, PhD; 1999
- The Linus Pauling Institute; Unraveling the Conflicting Studies on Vitamin E and Heart Disease; Jeffrey Blumberg, Ph.D.; May 2002
- "The Encyclopedia of Skin and Skin Disorders"; Carol Turkington; 2007
- "Vitamins and Minerals Demystified"; Steve Blake; 2008
- MayoClinic.com: Vitamin E
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